Planning Technical Support Officer (Grade 5) - Planning

Planning Technical Support Officer – 3 Month Contract

Location: Hertford

Rate: £123.68 per day (Umbrella)

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 1 day office-based, 4 days remote (flexible for the right candidate)

Contract: Temporary (3 Months)

Pay: Bi-weekly

Summary

This temporary 3-month contract role involves providing essential technical and administrative support to a dynamic Development Management team within a Local Authority Planning Service. The successful candidate will be instrumental in validating and registering planning applications, maintaining accurate planning records, and supporting planning officers. This role also involves contributing to planning data digitisation projects, including Tree Preservation Order (TPO) records, ensuring a high-quality, customer-focused service.

Responsibilities

Planning Application Validation

• Validate and register planning applications in line with statutory and local procedures.
  
• Ensure applications include correct documentation and supporting information.
  
• Assess applications against local and national validation requirements.
  
• Communicate with applicants, agents, and planning officers regarding validation issues.
  

Planning Administration

• Maintain accurate planning records and databases.
  
• Process planning applications and associated documentation.
  
• Record consultations, responses, and planning decisions.
  
• Ensure planning information is accurately stored and updated.
  

Customer Service & Enquiries

• Respond to enquiries from residents, applicants, agents, and stakeholders via telephone, email, and occasionally in person.
  
• Provide advice on planning application procedures and requirements.
  
• Deliver a professional and customer-focused service.
  

Technical Support

• Support Planning Officers with administrative and technical casework activities.
  
• Prepare routine correspondence and documentation.
  
• Assist with document management and planning file maintenance.
  
• Support planning enforcement and development management functions as needed.
  

Data Management & Digitisation

• Assist with the digitisation of planning records and datasets.
  
• Support the updating and maintenance of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) information.
  
• Ensure planning records and historical data are maintained accurately.
  
• Contribute to service improvement and modernisation projects.
  

Team Support

• Collaborate within the Development Management team.
  
• Support service delivery targets and performance objectives.
  
• Assist colleagues during periods of high workload.
  
• Contribute to the efficient operation of the Planning Service.
  

Requirements

Requirements:

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of education, including English and Mathematics (or equivalent).
  

Desirable

• Qualification in Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
  

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of planning application processes and validation procedures.
  
• Understanding of Development Management processes.
  
• Knowledge of planning legislation and local authority planning procedures.
  
• Understanding of planning administration systems and record management.
  

Essential System Experience

• Working knowledge and experience of Uniform Planning System.
  

Desirable

• Knowledge of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
  
• Understanding of planning digitisation projects and records management.
  

Experience

Essential

• Experience within a Local Planning Authority Planning Service.
  
• Experience validating planning applications.
  
• Experience in Planning Administration or Development Management.
  
• Experience maintaining planning records and databases.
  
• Experience responding to customer and stakeholder enquiries.
  
• Experience using Uniform Planning System.
  

Desirable

• Experience supporting planning officers with case management activities.
  
• Experience working on planning digitisation projects.
  
• Experience processing consultations and planning documentation.
  

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Excellent attention to detail.
  
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong customer service skills.
  
• Ability to manage a varied workload and competing priorities.
  
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  
• Ability to interpret planning documentation accurately.
  

Additional Information

• This is a 3-month temporary contract.
  
• Rate: £123.68 per day (Umbrella).
  
• Location: Hertford.
  
• Hybrid working – 1 day office-based, 4 days remote (flexible for the right candidate).
  
• Pay is provided on a bi-weekly basis.
  
• Local Planning Authority experience is essential.
  
• Uniform Planning System experience is essential.
  
• Planning application validation experience is essential.
  
• Opportunity to work within a busy and supportive Development Management team.
  
• Immediate start available.